Chapter 3 – Selection

Read on K​atRead​ing​Cafe

The noisy scientists fell silent in an instant at my words. They were smart enough to understand what I meant without needing further explanation.

“If there’s anyone caught up in this unfairly, I’ll spare them.”

It was a mercy, just in case—on the off chance—that there was someone truly innocent among them. After all, harming the innocent wasn’t particularly enjoyable.

So far, everything I had killed had deserved it—except for the scientist whose blood I drained the moment I woke up.

…Though, if I had to guess, that scientist had probably conducted human experiments or something similar. Otherwise, how would they have been in charge of me?

“How can I trust what you’re saying?”

“Believe it or not, it’s up to you. Just like standing there and waiting to die is also up to you. I’m simply offering you a choice. A kindness, if you will?”

How generous of me. Even though they were undoubtedly evil, I was still offering them a chance. Truly, an act of benevolence.

Chuckling to myself, I basked in self-satisfaction for a moment before realizing how ridiculous I must have looked. I cleared my throat and straightened my posture.

“Does no one have the courage to step forward? The first one to raise their hand gets extra points. How about that?”

Since no one was willing to volunteer, I had no choice but to use an incentive that belonged in an elementary school classroom.

At last, the scientists raised their hands in a frenzy, each claiming they were the most wrongly accused. A tragic backstory competition began.

Listening to them, every single one of them sounded like the protagonist of a heartbreaking drama. I had hoped I might have some innate ability to detect lies, but…

I guess I didn’t. Too bad. I shrugged and decided to add another condition.

“Oh, I forgot to mention. If someone exposes a liar among you… I’ll consider sparing them, in recognition of their honesty.”

Whoever revealed the frauds would earn extra points.

In technical terms, this was cross-validation. In layman’s terms, it was turning them against each other.

It was bound to be more entertaining this way.

As expected, the scientists’ gazes changed. More specifically, the way they looked at their colleagues changed.

As if they were thinking, “If only you weren’t here.”

The sight was both amusing and satisfying.

Yes, this was how villains should be. No camaraderie, no loyalty—only desperate self-preservation. How delightful.

“That woman is lying! She conducted human experiments without anesthesia! She even woke the subjects up in the middle of dissections!”

“W-What?! You’re the one who stabbed people with a scalpel just to hear the sound they made!”

“You filthy liar, you bitch! How dare you turn this on me?!”

“Look at this fraud! Blaming others for what she did herself?!”

Just moments ago, they had been working together to deceive me. Now, without hesitation, they tore each other apart.

Yes, this was perfect. I couldn’t help but smile at the heartwarming scene.

At the same time, I listened carefully, mentally scoring each of them on who deserved to die.

Mocking them was one thing, but I was serious about my promise.

Yet, as I reviewed my mental scorecard… there wasn’t a single one worth sparing.

Even the old man who had remained silent was accused by his colleagues of being the mastermind behind it all.

The only one who hadn’t been slandered was a woman cowering in the corner.

So, aside from her, I’d have to kill every last one of them. How was it that not a single decent person existed among them?

Just as I was finishing my assessment, the old man finally spoke.

“…Are you mocking us?”

He glared at me with bloodshot eyes.

What kind of guts did he have to stare me down like that?

“Mocking you? That’s rude. I prefer to think of it as mercy.”

I stepped closer and looked down at him, but his expression didn’t waver.

Oh? Did he have some kind of conviction?

A worthless villain’s pride, perhaps—but I didn’t entirely hate it.

“Don’t talk nonsense. Can you swear on your own name that you’re telling the truth?”

Of course, I could.

Or at least, that’s what I was about to say—until something occurred to me.

What was my name?

I couldn’t use my old magical girl name in this form. I didn’t know if I had a vampire or dragon name.

And my original name…

What was it again?

“So it really was just a joke.”

I nearly choked on my breath, but his words pulled me back to reality.

What the hell was he smirking about? This was serious.

But if I didn’t know, I could just ask, right?

“How can I swear on my name when I don’t even know it? You must have assigned me one. What is it?”

I demanded the old man tell me my name. If they had planned to use me, they must have given me something to call myself.

The old man obediently answered.

“Zordiacs, type: dragon. Model V.”

He pronounced it with unnecessary emphasis, but I understood well enough.

“…That’s hardly a name. It sounds too academic.”

It wasn’t a name—it was a code. A model number.

Sure enough, the old man confirmed that they hadn’t given me a proper name.

So I had to think of one myself? What a hassle.

“You lot really aren’t creative, are you?”

I muttered, deciding to put off naming myself for now.

Instead, I figured the cross-examination had gone on long enough. It was time to deliver my verdict.

The scientists fell silent, awaiting my judgment.

“Everyone… except for that woman cowering in the corner. The rest of you die.”

I smiled warmly as I sentenced them to annihilation.

The more I heard their stories, the more disgusted I became.

So, I had no hesitation.

The scientists immediately panicked and tried to flee, but I was faster.

And this time, I activated my high-speed movement ability, cutting down every last one of them—except for one.

I still couldn’t figure out what triggered this ability, but whatever.

The old man with his useless pride, the scientists who had stabbed each other in the back, the ones who screamed in terror—I beheaded them all.

But I spared the woman in the corner.

Because I had promised.

Time seemed to resume as I approached her.

“…Huh?”

She was still in shock, blinking at me in disbelief.

In the blink of an eye, everyone else had been slaughtered, and the monster responsible was now standing before her.

“Live a good life. If you stray, you’ll meet me again.”

I patted her head and smiled before absorbing the blood spilled around the room.

I wasn’t sure how it worked, but as long as I could feel the power flooding into me, that was all that mattered.

Ah, so this was why vampires in stories couldn’t resist blood.

I’d only been a vampire for less than an hour, and I already understood.

If even I found it this intoxicating, then those who had lived for decades or centuries must have been utterly enslaved by it.

I might be able to resist… maybe. I’d figure it out later.

Turning back to the cowering researcher, I crouched down and asked,

“You. Even if you’re a newbie, you should know the way out, right? I have no idea where to go.”

I wasn’t trying to threaten her. I just needed directions.

“Th-the map… over there…”

She barely managed to stammer out an answer before fainting.

Pathetic.

Still, I ruffled her hair in thanks and checked the map.

Exit here. Important data… maybe in the director’s office or archives?

I debated for a moment before realizing there was no need to choose.

I’d just check both.

Then, the facility’s alarms blared.

“The ‘Final Resistance’ protocol has been activated. All personnel, proceed to designated stations to prevent intruder escape…”

Ah.

An evil lab cliché.

…A self-destruct sequence.

hevb